History

The settlement of St. John's has been the administrative centre of Antigua and Barbuda since the islands were first colonised in 1632, and it became the seat of government when the nation achieved independence in 1981. Saint John is mainly the capital of Antigua. The capital of Barbuda is Condriguta.

Climate

Climate data for St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda (V. C. Bird International Airport)

Month

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Year

Record high °C (°F)

31.2 (88.2)

31.8 (89.2)

32.9 (91.2)

32.7 (90.9)

34.1 (93.4)

32.9 (91.2)

33.5 (92.3)

34.9 (94.8)

34.3 (93.7)

33.2 (91.8)

32.6 (90.7)

31.5 (88.7)

34.9 (94.8)

Average high °C (°F)

28.3 (82.9)

28.4 (83.1)

28.8 (83.8)

29.4 (84.9)

30.2 (86.4)

30.6 (87.1)

30.9 (87.6)

31.2 (88.2)

31.1 (88.0)

30.6 (87.1)

29.8 (85.6)

28.8 (83.8)

29.8 (85.6)

Daily mean °C (°F)

25.4 (77.7)

25.2 (77.4)

25.6 (78.1)

26.3 (79.3)

27.2 (81.0)

27.9 (82.2)

28.2 (82.8)

28.3 (82.9)

28.1 (82.6)

27.5 (81.5)

26.8 (80.2)

25.9 (78.6)

26.9 (80.4)

Average low °C (°F)

22.4 (72.3)

22.2 (72.0)

22.7 (72.9)

23.4 (74.1)

24.5 (76.1)

25.3 (77.5)

25.3 (77.5)

25.5 (77.9)

25.0 (77.0)

24.4 (75.9)

23.9 (75.0)

23.0 (73.4)

24.0 (75.2)

Record low °C (°F)

15.5 (59.9)

16.6 (61.9)

17.0 (62.6)

16.6 (61.9)

17.8 (64.0)

19.7 (67.5)

20.6 (69.1)

19.3 (66.7)

20.0 (68.0)

20.0 (68.0)

17.7 (63.9)

16.1 (61.0)

15.5 (59.9)

Precipitation mm (inches)

56.6 (2.228)

44.9 (1.768)

46.0 (1.811)

72.0 (2.835)

89.6 (3.528)

62.0 (2.441)

86.5 (3.406)

99.4 (3.913)

131.6 (5.181)

142.2 (5.598)

135.1 (5.319)

83.4 (3.283)

1,049.2 (41.307)

Avg. precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)

11.1

8.7

7.3

7.2

8.6

8.3

11.8

12.7

12.0

12.9

12.4

12.1

124.7

Source: Antigua/Barbuda Meteorological Services[1]

Economy

St. John's is one of the most developed and cosmopolitan municipalities in the Lesser Antilles. The city is famous for its various shopping malls as well as boutiques throughout the city, selling designer jewelry and haute-couture clothing. There are also many independent, locally run establishments, selling a variety of fashions.

St. John's attracts tourists from the many exclusive resorts on the island and from the cruise ships which dock in its harbor at Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay several times a week.

The investment banking industry has a strong presence in the city. Many major world financial institutions have offices in St. John's.

There is a fresh produce, meat and fish market on the southwestern edge of the city where fresh produce, meats and fresh fish are sold daily.

The Antigua Rum Distillery is located at the Citadel and is the only rum distillery on the island. Annual production yields more than 180,000 gallons bottled.

Demographics

The majority of the population of St. John's reflects that of the rest of Antigua: people of African and mixed European-African ancestry, with a European minority, including British and Portuguese. There is also a population of Levantine Christian Arabs.

Culture

Several museums, including the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda and the Museum of Marine Art, a small facility containing fossilized bedrock, volcanic stones, petrified wood, a collection of more than 10,000 shells, and artifacts from several English shipwrecks.

St. John's Cricket Ground

Just east of St. John's is the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, a multi-use stadium in North Sound, that was created mostly for cricket matches, and has hosted the matches during the 2007 Cricket World Cup. The Antigua Recreation Ground, Antigua and Barbuda's national stadium, is located in St. John's.

Main sights

The city's skyline is dominated by the white baroque towers of St. John's Cathedral.

The Botanical Garden is near the intersection of Factory Road and Independence Avenue. This small park's shaded benches and gazebo provide a quiet refuge from the bustle of activity of St. John's.